Newcastle United midfielder Mohamed Diame has spoken out on his Magpies future as he prepares for his current contract to expire.
The Senegal international, on a reported £45,000-per-week at the club [Source: Spotrac], has been unable to trigger an automatic one year extension and is instead looking for a new two year deal. However, as of right now he is set to leave St James’ Park this summer.
He’s given an update on his future: “To be honest I wish I could stay longer,” he told The Chronicle. “It’s not finished yet. We will see. If I am not here I will always watch and [be] behind the team. I will always keep in touch with a lot of people here.
“It has been amazing. I have just enjoyed my time. I will miss it if I am not here. I will wish everybody all the best next year but if I am here the team will give everything and fight for the shirt.”
OPINION
This Diame situation is a bit of a tricky one at the moment. He’s obviously out of contract this summer and, despite there seeming to be a willingness on both sides for him to stay longer, he is currently set to leave the club. It’s a strange one with Diame, because he’ll be 32 years of age in June, so you don’t necessarily want to give a long-term contract to somebody of that age. However, two years – which is what Diame is after – isn’t too much to ask. His play’s not going to fall off a cliff between the ages of 32 and 34, is it? Diame clearly wants to stay and so it would be somewhat of a surprise if he does depart in a couple of months time. Hopefully, though, the club can come to terms with him on a new deal that will see him stay. Perhaps there will need to be some compromise from both parties – maybe Newcastle should offer him a slight pay rise if he agrees to just a one year contract. Either way, he’s worth keeping around as a squad player, certainly.
